Msgr. Clarence John "CJ" McAvoy

Msgr. Clarence John “CJ” McAvoy, 88, passed away on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at St. Joseph’s Home in Ogdensburg.

A Memorial service will be celebrated at 5:30 PM on Wednesday April 15, 2026, at St. Bernard’s Church in Saranac Lake.

A spring burial will take place in St. John the Baptist Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Born on September 1, 1937, in Ogdensburg to Clarence and Elizabeth (Brady) McAvoy. John was baptized on September 26, 1937, at St. John the Baptist Church. He entered Wadhams Hall Seminary in 1955 and then went on to Christ the King Seminary at St. Bonaventure University in 1958, graduating in 1963 He was ordinated on March 30, 1963, at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Ogdensburg, by Bishop James Navagh.

Father McAvoy’s began his priesthood serving as parochial vicar at St. Mary’s Cathedral. In the early 1970s’ he served at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Potsdam and St. John the Baptist, Madrid. He first became pastor at St. Bernard's Church in Saranac Lake in 1973. During this time, he also served as chaplain of the Knights of Columbus Northern Conference of New York State and on the Diocese of Ogdensburg’s Senate of Priests, Liturgy Committee of the Department of Worship, and as Dean of the Adirondack Deanery.

Father McAvoy was named pastor of St. John the Baptist in Plattsburgh in 1986. During this time, he served as Auxiliary Chaplain at the Plattsburgh Air Force Base and Dean of the Clinton Deanery. He was given the honor of Monsignor on March 8, 1997. In 1999, he was appointed in the parishes of Malone until 2003. After serving at the Church of All Saints in Mineville and St. Patrick's Parish in Port Henry until 2007, he retired. Not one to sit still, he served as chaplain at Elderwood of Uihlein at Lake Placid.

Monsignor McAvoy was an avid motorcycle rider and enjoyed the time spent riding with others throughout the years.

Surviving Monsignor McAvoy are a sister in-law, Mary Joanne McAvoy of Dedham, Massachusetts, along with several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Msgr. McAvoy was predeceased by his brothers, Lauris, Frances, Neil, Ronnie, and baby sister, Marion McAvoy.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Farrar Home, 46 Constable St, Malone, NY 12953, where he received excellent care and friendship, or to St. Joseph’s Nursing Home, 950 Linden St, Ogdensburg, NY 13669, where he also received excellent care and made new friends.